Rotorua floods: Second flood in half a decade for Rotorua couple

Don and Heather Newport bought their Ngongotaha home in 1964.

Their basement flooded in 1966 during Hurricane Dinah but, according to Heather, it was nothing like Sunday's deluge.

"This time it was the sheer volume of water that came down in such a torrent, it was very dramatic," she said.

"We were fortunate that it was just our basement that flooded again but there certainly was a lot of stuff in there. The rest of our house is liveable."

Image 1 of 61: Flooding in Rotorua. Cormac Davis, 12, . Moncur Dr. Photo/Ben Fraser

Earlier this week the waterlogged contents of the basement were spread out on the Newports' front lawn awaiting a skip bin.

"We can't get a bin until next week."

Heather said as well as the "seasonal" items in the garage, her car was a write-off.

"We store things in the garage [when they're not in use] for the different seasons and then take them upstairs when we need them."

She said Sunday's flood had been very distressing.

- Donations to a relief fund can be made to the bank account number below or in person at the front desk at the Rotorua Lakes Council building (1061 Haupapa St) between 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

Details for donations:
Account number: 02-0412-0234516-006
How: Direct Credit or in person at Rotorua Lakes Council building